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Dec 21, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Principles Excellent news! Yes, I did the 5 day in 2010 then a half day refresher this month.I was hoping to dialog with my DSN (Dafne Specialist Nurse or Diabetic Specialist Nurse?) HCP ... Health Care Professional? Check me out with me acronyms!  The DSN at Lewisham says that they have had longstanding problems with their logins. I wanted to dialog with her on this forum about BI etc but insted I've just emailed her pdf. Pity. FG |
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Dec 21, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Principles As I understand it you have to attend the full 5 days of DAFNE in order to receive the code from the educators...HCPs....if you have been to a refresher then that would mean you have been on the course and so yes, they can provide you with the code for this site... |
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Dec 21, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Basal check It varies all over the country as to what criteria you need to meet to start using a pump but there are some areas where attendance of a DAFNE course isn't required, or any dose adjustment educational program......some people have built up their own knowledge and understanding and as long as this can proved then a pump could still work well....... in my opinion though there is no point putting some one on a pump for them to then keep needing assistance from the HCPs either face to face or by phone, this is just no use really.... what you definitely need to be able to do on the pump is test, evaluate, and change your basal rates [the most important dose] and also do the same for the bolus..... a CGM will be good for information, but it will only reveal whats happening at certain times..........which is good for identifying/confirming the DP... |
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Dec 21, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: Questions for HCPs / Stinging insulin I find WHERE I inject is more of a sting-factor than the temperature of the insulin.You could talk to your GP or DSN about using a different length needle? After getting stomac lumps recently, from not rotating injection sites, I started using more thigh, hip and buttock sites - I was amazed at how insensitive these areas are 
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Dec 21, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: Questions for HCPs / Increasing BI in holidays I've noticed BG is higher than usual now that school has broken up (Primary Music Teacher). Do you think I should inrease both AM & PM background insulin?Last two weeks have been really difficult to manage BG and I've been mostly high. I expected that once school finished on Fri 18th it would be easier to manage, but if anything my readings are even higher, probably because of reduced stress? Happy Holidays!! Felix |
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Dec 21, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: Questions for HCPs / Struggling with emotions Hi Sharon, I became type 1 six months after a serious breakdown. I felt like such a failure, that I couldn't look after myself and now I had all these injections, equipment and carb counting. It was an awful time and it bought up so much doubt and anxiety. I resisted anti-depressants for about 5 months but when I finally went onto Citalopram it was a huge relief. I wish I'd done it earlier. Citalopram side effects were quite tough for about 2 weeks but the cushion that it created between me and the tidal wave of emotions meant I could get back to work, get better control and take care of myselfHas you GP suggested antidepressants? They supported me through a "can of worms". Best Felix |
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Dec 17, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Basal check I've been Type 1 Diabetic for 5 years and it was only on my refresher last week (4 years after diagnosis) that I learned the 'theory' of basal testing (basically fasting for one meal - or having a carb free meal - and monitoring BG levels). Currently my background feels spot on so I'm not going to do a basal test just yet. When I need to, I'll come back here and ask advice first! Do consultants consider putting injectors onto pumps when they can't 'dafne' they're way around serious 'dawn phenomenon' problems? I'm an injector and my consulatant wants to consider me for a pump. I'm curious (I love techology!) but not convinced, yet. If I haven't got the DAFNE principles as second nature, then having a pump is not going to make any difference to my control. The plan goes like this: Feb 2016, I'll be given a CGM (Constant Glucose Monitoring) patch which will stay on for about 4 days so that I can sit down with my SDN (Specialist Diabetic Nurse) and unpick the data that it provides about my BG levels, with particular attention to Dawn Phenomenon (ask me! :-). Did anyone else have this preliminary? Felix |
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Dec 17, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE and Insulin Pumps. Thanks, Novorapidboi,I can't tell you how reassuring it is have a posting exchange with someone!  The background split dose really works for me! I was advised by my Specialist Diabetic Nurse to transfer from one daily dose of Lantus to 2 of Insulatard so I take Insulatard 16 in the morning and 10 at night: Morning BGs are sooo much more stable and the nightime Hypers are retreating. Thank you, Insulatard! Felix |
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Dec 17, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Principles Thanks!Some questions: Does "Graduate" means someone who has attended DAFNE? Will the Dietician or Diabetic Specialist Nurse who delivered DAFNE be able to give me access to another area of this site (with a code)? Cheers! Felix |
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Dec 17, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Resfresher Many thanks - I'll quiz the HCPs next.Cheers! |
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Dec 17, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Basal check I quite surprised that you are unaware how to carry out a basal test considering your on a pump, and have been for nearly 4 years........how did that happen...? I ask because I personally had to have done DAFNE first and prove that despite a very specific dosing regime using DAFNE didn't work..... Have a look at this: Beyond The Basals This will take you through the process for pumpers like yourself, its asks you to look at your BG levels inside a 5 hour window and then adjust basal rates if and when needed, usually if the levels exceed 1.7mmol in either direction.... |
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Dec 17, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Resfresher Just seen your previous posts and this one elsewhere.........If you have attended the DAFNE course you should be able to get the code form the HCPs that will let you unlock the full features of the site, specifically the course handbook........ |
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Dec 17, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE and Insulin Pumps.
I agree about the BI/basal doses, even if it did manage to last the 24 hours, a constant, non changing dose is not matching the output of the liver..... so even a split dose isn't as accurate as it could be, but its better than one, and gives much more flexibility between the AM/PM portions of the day... |
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Dec 17, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Principles If your a graduate you can access them here, just take a screenshot.....your profile suggest your not a graduate and so it would be frowned upon giving portions of the course handbook away without you attending and being trained by the educators....
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Dec 17, 2015
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Can DAFNE consider changing from the use of CP’s to g of carbohydrate? As a pumper I actually still struggle with setting ratios to grams:unit and actually like the CPs or unit:grams, with the grams fixed.....Ultimately I can manage OK, its just trying to remember that for more insulin, you need to reduce the gram value..... |
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Dec 17, 2015
Hightower
8 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Can DAFNE consider changing from the use of CP’s to g of carbohydrate? Personally I find the whole CP thing pointless. I would rather the 1 unit to 10g etc. You have to count the carbs first so not sure what the point of then converting them to CP's is. LOVE DAFNE
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Dec 16, 2015
SimonC
78 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) With regards to cost - I have just placed my first order for my reader and 2 sensors - the total - with the VAT relief taken off and the delivery added on was £138 - looking at the bill, the sensors on their own was £96.58 - for 2, so each one is £48.29.I don't know if the price will change on re ordering, but this fits in with what stephenbrowne has said. |
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Dec 16, 2015
stephenbrowne
37 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi Alan and Phil,I note than the combined Freestyle starter kit of a reader plus 2 sensors is currently unavailable at £160 but it is possible to order a reader (scanner) for £58 and a pack of 2 sensors which will last for a total of 28 days for £56. One can apply for VAT exemption with type 1 diabetes. I find that the monthly price including postage with VAT exemption works out at about £102 .Despite the price I have found it such a help that it has been worth it for me.. I have sometimes found wild discrepancy between the sensor readings e.g persistent readings suggesting hypos when I have felt fine and finger prick test results have been well within normal range. This has sometimes occurred towards the end of a 2 week session on a sensor and occasionally inthe first 12 hours of a new sensor. Usually there is a good correlation between the interstitial tissue sugar level and capillary blood sugar. Sometimes the sensor readings have been exactly the same, sometimes up to 1 mmol/l above or below the finger prick reading. The discrepancies may be more after vigorous exercise. Of course, there is a 10-15 minute delay between stabilisation of tssue a blood sugar levels and this has an effect. If the reader gives a peculiar unexpected result I generally check a finger prick result..My priciple with any medical measurement or device is "If the result does not fit with how you feel or is unexpected , be suspicious and sceptical and seek alternative confirmation!" |
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Dec 16, 2015
Alan 49
284 posts
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I'm obviously tempted by these Libre kits - how much do they cost initially and then how much do the sensors cost? |
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Dec 16, 2015
Phil Maskell
194 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Anyone else found this?I hope this is just the current sensor, but its reading 3.8, I don't feel hypo so did BG test, 5.5, never had it this far out before. I would possibly scrap this sensor, but its a) got 7 days left (£25) b) my new ones haven't arrived yet. Just wondering, been using it for over a year now, is it a problem with the siting of the sensor, skin hardening or something? If it is this far out for the next 7 days I am going to complain to Abbott, bit worried as I like the Libre, naughty but I have come to rely on it over BG tests alot, if its not accurate I don't know that I can trust it any more. Phil |
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Dec 15, 2015
Phil Maskell
194 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Simon,Hope you find it useful, it was quite sad when I first ordered how excited I was to get a BG meter! When you put a new sensor on for the maths to be able to average out a reading you can't get anything for 60 mins, this seems like a lifetime I have found that some sensors are more accurate than others, annoyingly the one I'm wearing now is about 2 mmol lower, so reckons I'm hypo when I'm 4 or 5. But other sensors have been spot on to 0.1 mmol. I suppose it also depends how accurate my Accu-Chek Mobile is as this was dif from OneTouch. Its the over night trends that has helped my HbA1c (was going hypo and liver kicking out sugar so spiking), since getting Libre HbA1c gone from 7.9 ish to 6.6 (sorry, still work in old money) and gone low carb now so hoping for sub 6 next time. Hope you get it before Xmas, nice pressie, all the party food will be good fun watching the graph bounce around Phil |
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Dec 14, 2015
Felix Glenn
26 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE Principles Hi,Does anyone know where I can get online pictures of the DAFNE principles as used on the training course? I'm particularly interested in "the stepwise approach". Cheers! Felix |
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Dec 14, 2015
SimonC
78 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)
Cheers Phil - looking forward to the trends - esp over night. |
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Dec 14, 2015
michaelj
45 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Can DAFNE consider changing from the use of CP’s to g of carbohydrate? I wonder if any of these clever people suggesting this are actually diabetic, and having to work out ratios on a daily basis. Leave it alone |
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Dec 14, 2015
Phil Maskell
194 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)
Simon, you will love having trend info, I have found it not to be 100% accurate, often about 1 mmol lower than blood, but like you said this makes no dif to me, its the is going up or down, should I eat or inject type info. I have in the past had supply issues and been a few weeks without sensors, felt lost without it now. It must be saving the NHS a fortune as I only test about 3 times a day now instead of 10+ |